Lahore, December 22, 2022 (PPI-OT):The University College of Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD) has designed a contemporary integrated modular curriculum for the students of medicine. This curriculum is formatted to produce specialists with the highest level of competence and professionalism who can cater to patients from diverse healthcare domains.
The curriculum is based on the integration of basic sciences and clinical sciences. An integrated curriculum is structured in such a way that it crosses subject boundaries and brings together various aspects of medical knowledge into meaningful associations to focus on broad areas of study. Integration in medical education is important because basic science learning is placed in the context of clinical and professional practice, and the students also consider it more meaningful and relevant.
UCMD, in its reformed curriculum, have incorporated aspects of the SPICES (a key approach for reforming and organising the undergraduate medical curriculum) approach to various extents. The curriculum is student-centred, problem-based, integrated, community-oriented, and systematic.
The curriculum aims at developing problem-solving abilities in the students. Problem-based learning sessions have been developed for the first two years. The integration is both horizontal and vertical. In the first 2 years, the main emphasis has been on the integration of basic sciences; however, the clinical sciences have been introduced from day one. This has been accomplished by teaching the basic sciences with relevance to their clinical application, patient exposure, and community health.
The sequencing has been done by introducing students to the foundations of the principles on which their knowledge, skills, and attitudes are based. The rest of the sequencing has been done according to the body systems from head to toe, taking into account the less complex systems that are introduced at earlier stages.
Moreover, learning is promoted through evidence. This is done through problem-based learning and case-based learning sessions. Students are motivated to find answers to their problems by searching journals, books, and websites. Teachers at UCMD are advised to prepare their lecture content and small group discussions in a similar pattern. Moreover, clinico-pathological meetings are held regularly in which up-to-date medicine is discussed with students. All in all, with this integrated curriculum, UCMD endeavours to produce competent healthcare professionals.
For more information, contact:
The University of Lahore
1 – KM Defence Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-865-865, +92-42-35322501 +92-42-35321761
Email: info@uol.edu.pk
Website: www.uol.edu.pk